How to Disable MSN Messenger and the Network Messenger Service
Make sure to back up registry and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs
Step 1) To Disable Messenger MSN from running go to the start menu and select RUN. In the window that appears type regedit (see example below)
http://www.wedoc.com/images/regedit.gif
Step 2) The Registry editor will now have opened. Navigate to the following Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft
Now create a new key by selecting Edit from the main menu bar. Now select New then Key.
Name this new Key: Messenger
Step 3) Now select the newly created Messenger Key and create another new Key. Only this time we are going to name it: Client (The key should look like the example below...)
http://www.wedoc.com/images/msnreg1.gif
Step 4) Next we have to create a DWORD value. So Right Click the new Client Key and select New then DWORD.
Name the DWORD PreventRun (see example below.)
http://www.wedoc.com/images/msnreg2.gif
Step 5) Now we need to give it a Data Value of 1
http://www.wedoc.com/images/msnreg3.gif
Step 6) Now restart Windows XP and you will have successfully Disabled Messenger MSN
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Note:: Although the name of the service is similar, Messenger Service in Windows XP is not related to instant messaging programs such as Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger. Disabling instant messaging programs is not necessary and not recommended. Disabling instant messaging programs will not prevent Messenger Service spam on your computer.
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To disable the Messenger Service in Windows XP (Caution: If your computer is part of a corporate network, talk to your system administrator before taking this action.)
<TABLE class=numberedList cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD class=listNumber noWrap align=right>1.
</TD><TD>Click Start and then click Control Panel.
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=listNumber noWrap align=right>2.
</TD><TD>Click Performance and Maintenance. (If you do not see the Performance and Maintenance icon, you may be using Classic View. You can skip to step 3 below, but you must double-click Administrative Tools.)
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=listNumber noWrap align=right>3.
</TD><TD>Click Administrative Tools.
http://www.deesystems.net/DSG/admintools.jpg
Figure 1. Double-click Services in Administrative Tools.
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=listNumber noWrap align=right>4.
</TD><TD>Double-click Services as shown in Figure 1 above..
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=listNumber noWrap align=right>5.
</TD><TD>Double-click Messenger.
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=listNumber noWrap align=right>6.
</TD><TD>In the Startup type list, choose Disabled as shown in Figure 2 below.
http://www.deesystems.net/DSG/messengerprop.jpg
Figure 2. Choose Disabled from the Startup type list in Messenger Properties.
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=listNumber noWrap align=right>7.
</TD><TD>Click Stop, and then click OK.
Dave C
DSG
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